A mirror whose reflecting surface is a part of a hollow sphere is called a spherical mirror. One side of the mirror is well-polished and reflecting and the other side is opaque. The reflecting surface of a spherical mirror is curved inwards or outwards.
Based on this aspect, spherical mirrors are of two types:
(1) Concave mirror: A spherical mirror with reflecting surface curved inwards is called a concave mirror.
A parallel beam of light generally converges after reflection from such mirror, hence it is called a converging mirror.
e.g.. The inner curved surface of a shining spoon can be approximated to a concave mirror
(2) Convex mirror: A spherical mirror withreflecting surface curved outwards is called a convex mirror.
A parallel beam of light generally diverges after reflection from such mirror, hence it is called a diverging mirror.
e.g.. The outer curved surface of a shining spoon can be approximated to a convex mirror
